Storm relief collects $281,000 in O.C.

Thursday morning, Red Cross volunteer Dee Luna of Anaheim, right, takes a donation for Hurricane Sandy relief in the parking lot of the Honda Center in Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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KABC-TV/7 reporter Ric Romero greets Mary Dierks of Huntington Beach as she arrives at the parking lot of the Honda Center in Anaheim to drop off her donation to the Red Cross. Thursday morning, KABC and the Red Cross teamed up to collect donations for Hurricane Sandy victims' relief. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Jeffrey Carmon of Inglewood stops by the Honda Center in Anaheim to donate to the Red Cross. Handing over $100, Carmon said, "Life has been good to me. It's time to give some back." BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Red Cross volunteers stand on the corner of Katella Avenue and Douglass Road, waving motorists in to make monetary donations for Hurricane Sandy relief operations. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Even cyclists rode up to drop off checks for Hurricane Sandy relief. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A steady stream of cars rolled into the parking lot at the Honda Center in Anaheim to drop off donations for the Red Cross Hurricane Sandy response. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Darlene Whitman and her mother, Priscilla Forkey, of Tustin drop off a cash donation for the Red Cross Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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American Red Cross volunteer Mauro Barron, 30, of Brea collects money for superstorm Sandy relief from a Chino Hills woman who drove down to donate and to see KABC-TV/7 weatherman Garth Kemp in person. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Thursday morning, Red Cross volunteer Dee Luna of Anaheim, right, takes a donation for Hurricane Sandy relief in the parking lot of the Honda Center in Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – Carloads of drive-by philanthropists – some still in their pajamas – started streaming into the Honda Center parking lot as early as 4:30 a.m. Thursday to donate checks and cash to help the millions of people affected by superstorm Sandy.

Shortly after the relief drive ended at 6:30 p.m., Red Cross officials said they had collected more than $281,000, money they say will go directly to those on the East Coast displaced by the massive storm.

The funds were a combination of donations dropped off at the parking lot, as well as online donations made by Southern California residents, said Teresa Caver, an interim regional executive with the Orange County Red Cross.

"I have relatives back there in New Jersey. They are fine, but so many of their neighbors suffered flooding and devastating losses, we just wanted to do our part to help out," said Floyd Anderson, 48, of Laguna Hills, who dropped off a $50 check. His daughter Tina, 7, brought $2 from her piggy bank.

Anaheim Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli gave $10,000.

Throughout the day, a steady stream of drivers made their way to the storm-relief drive at the Honda Center, in the parking lot next to the 57 freeway and Katella Avenue,

"It was just a great day," Caver said.

The event was sponsored by the American Red Cross, KABC-TV/7 and the Honda Center – a team that has come together in the past to help after earthquakes in Japan and Haiti and in the wake of firestorms locally.

Red Cross officials said they have dispatched six people from Orange County to help a team of 3,300 with storm relief in 11 states and Washington, D.C. As of early Thursday, 223 shelters had been set up serving more than 13,000 people.

The Honda Center team collecting donations enthusiastically greeted motorists as they came to drop off money, giving them thumbs-up, high-fives and cheering them on. The team included dozens of volunteers from across the county, including Mary Arteaga, 68, of Anaheim.

"It is a huge disaster, but if I can help give one person some comfort or a referral for help, then that's a big deal," Arteaga said.

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